We write poems based on true events we experienced, and written ancient Nordic poems. Our lyrics are spoken in present Norwegian, and old Norse. The meaning is making music form old tales to inspire the present
We are happy that you found the time for this written interview, and we are all looking forward to read more about your music
Tell us a about “Det Var” and what kind of music you play?
Thank you very much, we are always happy to talk!
We are Johan and Thomas, we are Det Var, a Nordic Folk music project.
How many are you in “Det Var” normally?
There are two of us originally, but as we released our first EP, we had someone calling for a big live show. We then found live members, some of them were friends, the others became ones. We are now 7 on stage. Thomas (Talharpa, Kravik lyre, Vocals), Johan (Shaman drums, Talharpa, Vocals), Hindrick (Kravik lyre, shaman drums, Vocals) Guillaume (Drums and percusions) Vincent (Verdun Drums, Vocals), Joachim (Vocals) and Anna (Vocals)
Where do you all come from?
We all come from France. We are often asked about our families origins, but none us of do come from Scandinavian countries.
“Det Var” what does that mean? And does it have a special meaning for you?
Det Var means “It Was” in actual Norwegian. We write poems based on true events we experienced, and written ancient Nordic poems. Our lyrics are spoken in present Norwegian, and old Norse. The meaning is making music form old tales to inspire the present
Where did you all meet and how long time have you played together as a band?
Det Var was born the day Johan and Thomas met, in 2020. The kind of meeting that was meant for things to happen, we followed our hearts and the signs that appeared on our path. Leading to 5 more live band members, a Music video director (Danny Louzon), A costume maker (Cyas industries) and several people that follow us for technical, merch (Thomas Clare) and communication purposes (Morgane M.). We love the people that Det Var brought together, and that is one of the main reasons we love doing this.
What music inspired/inspires you?
We are strongly influenced by other Folk Nordic bands, like Wardruna or Heilung, which we enjoy to listen to and get to see on stage. We (Thomas and Johan) happened to spend a lot of time in Johan’s recording studio, searching for our right way to make Det Var’s music in sound research, instrument making, and song composing.
Have any of you played anything else?
Johan: I used to play guitar in some metal bands, like Gohrgone (death metal), I enjoy playing the acoustic guitar on country music.
Thomas: I used to play bass in Nemost (metal) for several years, the saxophone and the banjo having fun with Johan on country music! I play music With Marina Lys in medieval music bands.
What instruments do you have in the band?
The Talharpa and Kravik Lyre are Scandinavian ancient traditional instruments that we learned to play in a way to complete the drums, shaman drums and seeds. Vocals and polyphony are a strong part of our music, it is an amazing work between us that we enjoy a lot. The strong deep drums, combined with Talharpa chords, Kravik lyre melody, sublimed by up to 5 polyphony singers, male bass to female soprano, in Norwegian, make the Det Var sound echoes to the core of your bones.
Do you write all you music yourself?
We write, record, make everything our self. The lyrics are mostly written by Thomas, every instrument are real ones, recorded and mixed at Johan’s studio. Even some of the instruments (Johan’s Talharpa and the Verdun Drums) are handmade by the band. The fact that every instrument is played for real (recording and live shows) is important for us, in a time when so much of everything in life seems fake.
Have you as a band done any collabs with other musicians/bands?
We had the chance to have Volva on “Steinrøtter”. We met her playing in southern France, we bonded and after we asked her, she found the deep words and notes only Volva knows to make this song whole. Before that, we tried to have Kati Ran on one song of the first EP, It was happening, but she was hired to make some of Vikings: Valhalla’s music. We were happy for her, and we will call her back for the album…
Would you do any collabs.?
We are currently working on that, as we are writing new songs for our album!
Where do you typically get your inspiration to compose/ produce music?
We find inspiration in nature, wandering, having strong relationships with people, family, animals, the beauty and brutality of Earth and bonding’s. We travel a lot, have long discussions about love, betrayals, life and death…
Are all in the band believers of the Nordic/old ways or finding old history interesting?
We are strongly receptive of spirituality, emotions and music. We are very interested in old northern European ways. We learn to speak their languages our best, we travel there whenever we can (Johan and Vincent were under the northern lights in Norway and Finland this past month) but we do not have faith in the Nordic old ways as the people in the medieval times, though we enjoy it very much.
Any new releases of tracks or albums soon?
We are currently working on our first album. It has lots of new things for us, like new instruments, new ways of playing them singing them… we can’t wait to present it, Steinrøtter and Forræder are on the track list.
In you free time do you hang out a lot or do you have other interests as sport, gaming or crafting maybe?
Johan: I do concerts as a sound technician, so music is an everyday lifestyle! I enjoy gaming with friends, and crafting is my other main thing (woodworking, repair my old house…)
Thomas: Music is a strong part of my life, and I enjoy having long treks across France and even Scandinavia.
Any plans for concerts plans for 2025?
Cernunnos Pagan Fest 2025 is our goal for now in February 23rd, near Paris, but we are doing our best to perform our new live show anywhere, you can contact us freely!
Anything you would like to share with us?
Follow us, we are currently working on a new song and music video that should be out soon!
We would like to thank you for answering our questions about your band, and glad we could do this written interview, and many are interested in getting to know you better….
